GOD said -- "Let there be light!" Grim darkness felt his might, And fled away; Then startled seas and mountains cold Shone forth, all bright in blue and gold, And cried -- "'T is day! 't is day!" "Hail, holy light!" exclaim'd The thunderous cloud, that flamed O'er daises white; And lo! the rose, in crimson dress'd, Lean'd sweetly on the lily's breast; And, blushing, murmur'd -- "Light." Then was the skylark born; Then rose the embattled corn; Then floods of praise Flow'd o'er the sunny hills of noon; And then, in stillest night, the moon Pour'd forth her pensive lays. Lo, heaven's bright bow is glad! Lo, trees and flowers all clad In glory, bloom! And shall the mortal sons of God Be senseless as the trodden clod, And darker than the tomb? No, by the @3mind@1 of man! By the swart artisan! By God, our Sire! Our souls have holy light within. And every form of grief and sin Shall see and feel its fire. By earth, and hell, and heaven, The shroud of souls is riven! Mind, mind alone Is light, and hope, and life, and power! Earth's deepest night, from this bless'd hour, The night of minds is gone! "The Press!" all lands shall sing; The Press, the Press we bring, All lands to bless: O pallid Want! O Labour stark! Behold, we bring the second ark! The Press! the Press! the Press! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...MATER IN EXTREMIS by JEAN STARR UNTERMEYER THE SHADES OF NIGHT by ALFRED EDWARD HOUSMAN BEAUREGARD by CATHERINE ANNE WARFIELD THE LETTER by MUHAMMAD AL-MU'TAMID II A DISAPPOINTMENT by JOANNA BAILLIE |